Poliomyelitis (Paralytic and Nonparalytic)
Reportable by Laboratories and ProvidersAbout this Reportable Disease
Infectious agent: Poliovirus
Description of illness: Polio is a vaccine-preventable illness caused by the poliovirus that has been eliminated from all but a few countries and is targeted for global eradication. The response to poliovirus infection is highly variable. The majority (up to 72%) of all polio infections in children are asymptomatic. Approximately 24% of polio infections present with a nonspecific, brief flu-like illness. A small portion, 1%–5%, present with meningitis; these symptoms will last from 2 to 10 days, followed by complete recovery. Paralysis affects about 1 in 200 persons with poliovirus infection and 2%-10% patients with paralysis die. Many persons with paralytic poliomyelitis recover completely or partially, although they may develop new muscle pain, weakness or paralysis decades later as adults (post-polio syndrome).
Laboratory Reporting for this Disease
Reporting requirements apply to all laboratories located within Tennessee, as well as laboratories outside of Tennessee that test residents of Tennessee, including laboratories located within healthcare facilities. Healthcare providers and laboratories in the same healthcare facility both have a duty to report. The type of organisms and analytes laboratories must report to TDH for 2026 are indicated, and there are several ways laboratories can report results to TDH.
- Manually report results to TDH by faxing or mailing a completed PH-1600 form to your local health department, or faxing to the state health office at (615) 741-3857
- Automatically submit results to TDH via electronic laboratory reporting (ELR), which automates the process of sharing data with TDH using interoperability standards.
- See the ELR Onboarding Handbook for details on the onboarding process, checklist, frequently asked questions, business rules, message format, and vocabulary.
- To initiate the ELR onboarding process with TDH, register in the Trading Partner Registration (TPR) system TPR provides documentation for Promoting Interoperability (PI) attestation and milestone letters to document onboarding progress. Contact MU.Health@tn.gov for assistance.
- Submit online via NBS. NBS is TDH's reportable disease system. To request an NBS account for reporting Complete this user survey to request an NBS account for reporting.
- Blood lead levels can be sent via fax ( (615) 741-3857), entered online, or reported using the instructions at this link.
Information about this Reportable Disease for Healthcare Providers
Clinical Summary
- Polio is a highly contagious viral disease caused by the poliovirus that can invade the brain and spinal cord, leading to paralysis and even death.
- Most people infected will have no visible symptoms; about 1 in 4 will have flu-like symptoms such as sore throat, fever, tiredness, nausea, headache, and stomach pain.
- Less than 1% of infected individuals progress to paralysis (weakness in arms/legs) or other serious nervous-system involvement; the onset of paralysis usually occurs 7-21 days post-infection.
- There is no cure for paralytic polio; treatment focuses on supportive care (e.g., physical therapy for limb weakness) to improve outcomes.
- Prevention is key: routine vaccination (4 doses of inactivated polio vaccine in children) and maintaining high immunity in the population are the best defenses against polio.
Healthcare Provider Reporting
Healthcare reporting requirements apply to all providers located within Tennessee, as well as providers whose patients reside in Tennessee.
Providers must report cases of all diseases and conditions listed through one of these methods:
• Mail or fax a completed PH-1600 form to your local health department or fax to the state health office at (615) 741-3857
• Send automatically via electronic case reporting (eCR). See this TDH webpage for more information on eCR, register at the Trader Partner Registration website, or contact MU.Health@tn.gov for assistance.
• Submit online via NBS. NBS is TDH's reportable disease system. To request an NBS account for reporting Complete this user survey to request an NBS account for reporting.
• Blood lead levels can be sent via fax ( (615) 741-3857), entered online, or reported using the instructions at this link.
Information about this Reportable Disease for the Public
What It Is
Polio, also called poliomyelitis, is caused by the poliovirus, a member of the Enterovirus genus.
It is transmitted via the oral-fecal route and multiplies in the oropharynx and gastrointestinal tract.
The virus can be shed in stool for several weeks, even in asymptomatic individuals.
Poliovirus infection can lead to acute flaccid paralysis in rare cases.
Post-polio syndrome may occur decades later in adults who had paralytic polio as children.
Types
There are three serotypes of poliovirus: PV1, PV2, and PV3.
Immunity to one serotype does not provide significant protection against the others.
Poliovirus infections can be paralytic or non-paralytic, depending on severity.
Vaccine-derived poliovirus can rarely cause cases in unvaccinated individuals.
Polio types are clinically classified based on symptoms and progression to paralysis.
Signs and Symptoms
Most infections are asymptomatic.
Mild cases may present flu-like symptoms: fever, fatigue, sore throat, nausea, and headache.
Paralytic polio includes sudden weakness or paralysis in the arms and/or legs.
Paralysis is usually asymmetric and can progress to distal muscle groups.
Post-polio syndrome causes progressive muscle weakness, joint pain, and fatigue decades later.
Treatment
There is no cure for polio; treatment is supportive.
Physical therapy and rehabilitation help manage paralysis and improve mobility.
Pain management may be needed for muscle and joint discomfort.
Vaccination is critical to prevent infection.
Rapid identification of cases helps control the spread and protect communities.
This Page Last Updated: March 25, 2026 at 8:53 PM